Students' essays due Monday for contest

As part of this year's Wayne County Reads' event, high school students are invited to participate in an essay contest, with submissions due by Feb. 1.

The book selection is "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, which portrays a society where the government has banned the reading of books. When found, books are burned and the owners punished.

The story unfolds to reveal a few people who committed books to memory, hopeful that one day they can again share them with the world.

This year's 500-word essay contest, open to all Wayne County high school students, poses the scenario: "You live in a world where books are being destroyed. Assuming religious books would be saved, what one other book would you save and why?"

Entries will be judged by the Goldsboro Writers Group, with the top six chosen.

Winning writers will be recognized and asked to read their submissions during a Wayne County Reads finale reception on March 1 at the Arts Council of Wayne County.

In addition to several prizes, a copy of the book featured in each winning essay will be donated to the Wayne County Public Library in the student's name.

Essays should be submitted to English teachers or Hope Meyerhoeffer at the WCPS central office. Home school and private school students may turn in entries to the circulation department at the main brain of the county library.

For more information, visit www.waynereads.com or contact Tara Humphries at 739-7002 or tarah@waynecc.edu.